Printer having moveable printhead and capping/purging member
View Patent ↗An inkjet printer is provided which has at least one printhead having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, a capping/purging member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, a first actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead in an arcuate first direction between first, second and third positions, and a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping/purging member in an arcuate second direction to cap the nozzles of the printhead when the printhead is in the second position and to permit purging of ink from the nozzles when the printhead is in the third position.
1. An inkjet printer comprising:
at least one printhead having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles;
a capping/purging member dimensioned to substantially correspond with the printhead;
a first actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead in an arcuate first direction between first, second and third positions; and
a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping/purging member in an arcuate second direction to cap the nozzles of the printhead when the printhead is in the second position and to permit purging of ink from the nozzles when the printhead is in the third position.
2. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printhead is a pagewidth printhead and the capping/purging member is a one-piece member extending substantially the same length as the pagewidth printhead.
3. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.
4. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the capping/purging member comprises conjoined member portions having an aggregate length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead.
5. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the capping/purging member comprises a body portion, a lip portion formed from an elastomeric material, a capping cavity surrounded by the lip portion, and a purging chamber surrounded by the lip portion.
6. A printer as claimed in claim 5 wherein the purging chamber is connected to a suction device.
7. A printer according to claim 1 , comprising two opposed pagewidth printheads, wherein the first actuating mechanism is arranged to effect relative movement of the printheads between the first and second positions and the second actuating mechanism is arranged to interpose the capping/purging member between the printheads when the printheads are in the second position.
8. A printer according to claim 7 , wherein the printheads are offset.
9. A printer according to claim 1 , comprising a carrier positioned adjacent the printhead which carries the capping/purging member, wherein the second actuating mechanism is arranged to pivot the carrier to move the capping/purging member.
10. A printer according to claim 1 , wherein the capping/purging member comprises:
a lip portion that is formed integrally with a body portion; and
a cavity surrounded by the lip portion, the lip portion being peripherally configured to surround the nozzles on the printhead and the body portion having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead.